49ers sign Dawson to replace Akers

(UPDATE, 5:37 p.m.: The 49ers have officially announced they’ve signed Phil Dawson to a one-year contract. Said general manager Trent Baalke: “Phil has performed at a high level throughout his career and has a lot of experience managing the elements, which is a valuable asset.”)

Two weeks after releasing David Akers, the 49ers found his replacement today by signing former Browns kicker Phil Dawson, who announced the signing on Twitter.

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Phil Dawson. (AP)

“I am humbled & thrilled to have the opportunity to continue my career with my new team, the SF 49ers!” Dawson wrote.

Like Akers, Dawson, 38, is a decorated veteran who ranks among the NFL’s all-time leaders in field-goal percentage (12th at 84.0). Unlike Akers, though, he had perhaps the best season of his career in 2012: Dawson ranked second in the league in field-goal percentage (93.5) and made 13 of 13 attempts from 40-plus yards.

His lone misses in a 29-of-31 season were a 28-yard attempt that was blocked and a 39-yard attempt in Cleveland’s regular-season finale.

Dawson made his first Pro Bowl in 2012 while Akers, a year removed from his sixth Pro Bowl appearance, ranked 30th in the NFL in field-goal percentage (69.0) and made 9 of 19 attempts from 40-plus yards.

Since 2011, Dawson has made 14 of 15 attempts from 50-plus yards, with his successful kicks ranging from 50 to 54 yards. He has spent his first 14 NFL seasons with the Browns, including two with 49ers special teams coach Brad Seely, who had the same title in Cleveland from 2009-10.

The terms of Dawson’s contract have not been released. He earned $3.81 million as the Browns’ franchise-tagged player last year.